One of the most expensive, highly anticipated and controversial games in history launched today – at the stroke of midnight in many cases across the UK and America – but it was in the English capital that a 23-year-old man was stabbed and robbed on his way home from buying the game.

Ironically, GTA V and its predecessors has been criticized for inciting the kind of behaviour exhibited last night, and detractors will surely cite the in-game violence as a possible pretext to the violent crime.

“We were called at 1.20am to Princes Avenue, Colindale. A 23-year-old man was shopping, then on his way back home he was hit with a brick and stabbed," said a Scotland Yard spokesman. “He was robbed of items he had bought from a nearby Asda supermarket, including a copy of Grand Theft Auto." (Metro)

The young man was hit with a brick on his way home from buying the game at a West London Asda store, which was selling copies of GTA V at midnight. Queues were forming around the country from the early evening onwards as keen consumers sought to grab the blockbuster title as soon as possible.

The representative continued: “We think he was attacked on Princess Avenue by multiple suspects although it is unclear how many at this stage. Detectives from Brent Borough are investigating and any witnesses are asked to contact Crimestoppers.”

We at Contact Music would like to wish the young man a full recovery; hope you can play your game soon!

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